Five Games...Five Defeats...Zero Points

It's been five games, five defeats and five very miserable weeks for Wednesday who are rock bottom of the division and yet to register a point on the board. A fifth successive defeat, their worst start to a league campaign in over 90 years, in a 1-0 defeat at Preston has heaped the pressure on Wednesday boss Brian Laws while fans on the terraces continue to call for the resgination of Chairman Dave Allen.

The end of last season had promised so much. Wednesday were chasing what had seemed an impossible dream of a play-off spot and a 7th spot finish in the league had stirred up fresh optimism around the club. Talks of a summer takeover and fresh investment to create a side serious about promotion seemed on the cards. How long ago that seems now and how quickly the hope for this campaign is fading.

Laws had drafted in six changes to his starting line-up but they failed to impress in a disappointing first half display by The Owls. Lee Grant was back in goal and he was called upon as early as the fourth minute when he denied Kevin Nicholls with a fine save. The home side threatened twice more after that before Wednesday's first chance was presented to new boy Akpo Sodje, partnering Francis Jeffers upfront, but the former Port Vale man fired over from 20 yards.

North End took the lead just before the half hour mark. Grant did well to palm away Andy Carroll's effort but Paul Gallagher was on hand to side foot home comfortably. Grant saved well again just before the break, this time from a long range Darren Carter effort.

There were no changes at half-time but perhaps a few strong words. Wednesday certainly started the second half a much better looking side and they were desperately unlucky not to level when Dutch winger Etienne Esajas' shot from the corner of the box came back off the post.

Jeffers, still looking for his first goal in Wednesday colours, failed to convert when one on one with Preston keeper Andy Longergan, with Esajas' rebound effort too weak.

The Owls faded late on in the game and were fortunate to have finished the game only one goal behind when Carroll headed wide from the back post with five minutes remaining.

Laws may have called for Wednesday fans not to panic but failure to produce any points during Wednesday's next two games, both at home, will likely to result in serious action being taken somewhere in the set up.

Laws verdict: "I'm devastated for the players and particularly the fans, who were magnificent. This is where the supporters will play a major part, particularly at home." "We've got two home games now against Burnley and Hull, and these are the times that we need them most. The last thing the players want is to go into a cauldron of negativity. We need to be positive and that's what I'll be expressing to the supporters." "I believe we're a good side. I believe in the players and they believe in themselves. I don't believe we deserve the position we're in - we just need that little bit of luck, a bit of patience, and not to panic." "I keep reiterating to the players to be positive, go out there with the right approach and we will win games - it will come."